With the Week 18 season finale right around the corner, NFL Black Monday, a day when head coaches are often let go, is approaching.
Rumors about Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski being on the hot seat have circulated for some time, and they appear to be gaining traction after an NFL insider shared insight into the Browns’ plans for the future of their head coaching position.
NFL Insider Reveals Browns’ Stance on Kevin Stefanski
On Tuesday afternoon, NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler appeared on Kevin Clark’s ESPN show to discuss head coach openings this offseason. The Cleveland Browns, in particular, were described as a team that had done ‘preliminary research’ for a potential change. Fowler added, “They aren’t locked into doing it, or that they decided yet, but… certainly on my radar.”
Stefanski joined Cleveland in 2020 and immediately turned the franchise around. He coached the Browns to an 11-5 record and helped lead the Browns to their first playoff victory in 27 years at the time.
Stefanski earned coach of the year honors in the process, becoming one of only 18 first-year head coaches to win the award.
Unfortunately for Stefanski and the Browns, the 2020 season was the peak for this group. From 2021 and beyond, the Browns have an overall record of 33-51, and no playoff wins.
In 2023, the team did show some spark, as Stefanski won his second Coach of the Year award en route to an 11-6 record, but ultimately fell hard in the Wild Card round against the Texans.
For years, Cleveland fans were split. It’s not often you find a coach who can win multiple Coach of the Year awards in just four years. However, after back-to-back seasons with five or fewer wins, Cleveland fans and possibly even the Browns’ ownership appear fed up with Stefanski.
Potential Candidates To Replace Stefanski
Despite the Browns’ major struggles over the past two years, the team definitely has some talent. Myles Garrett is far and away the best defensive player in the world, while Denzel Ward, Carson Schwesinger, and Mason Graham are all valuable pieces as well.
Additionally, Cleveland owns two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, positioning itself to either select a top quarterback or assemble a package for one. Simply put, Cleveland is a reasonably attractive spot for a new head coach to work with.
Some of the top candidates include Klint Kubiak, the current offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks; Vance Joseph, the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos; Joe Brady, the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills; and Robert Saleh, a defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
Among these four, Kubiak and Saleh are the best bets. Kubiak could provide some stabilization on the offensive end, especially if it’s a rookie quarterback under center. Kubiak has shown commitment to the run game, along with an elite play-cation scheme. He could make life easier for a young QB. (Kubiak has helped Seattle to the ninth-ranked offense on PFSN’s impact metric.)
As for Saleh, we have seen him elevate defensive talent like no other. With Garrett rushing the passer and Ward on the backend, this defense can become the league’s best unit. Saleh also has solid head coaching experience. Despite his tenure with the Jets ending poorly, Saleh consistently gave his team a chance to win.
If Stefanski’s time truly is up in Cleveland, it will be interesting to see where the Browns will go from here. Stefanski, a proven offensive mind, should find more work elsewhere, whether as a head coach or a top offensive coordinator.